Join us in Chicago!

The Spring 2025 Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive will take place on March 21-22, 2025 at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

The Intensive will feature impactful leadership workshops, inspiring panel discussions, and an empowering keynote conversation.  Hear attorneys, thought leaders, and professional development professionals speaking on their personal experiences of women in leadership positions and their advice on developing the professional skills required to become and support women in leadership. 

Whether you want to develop your authentic voice, enhance your negotiation skills, or learn tips for being the most effective leader possible, the Ms. JD Leadership Academy Intensive will provide the space, support, and resources for you to do so. Participation in the Leadership Academy Intensive will greatly enhance your national law school network, equip you with tools necessary for professional development, and will generally provide opportunities that would not have existed otherwise.

Applications for the Spring 2025 Intensive are now closed. All applicants have been notified of their status. If you would like to join the waitlist for the Fall 2025 Intensive, please fill out the form below.

Join the Waitlist

Meet our March 2025 Keynote Speakers

Kori Carew

Chief Catalyst Officer & Founder

Bridge 68 LLC

Jenny Hamilton

Chief Legal Officer

Exterro, Inc.

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Meet our March 2025 Speakers

Tyler Arnfelt

Associate

Latham & Watkins

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Bellina Barrow

Principal Attorney

Tenoreque Legal

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Raquel daFonseca

Global Ethics & Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel

Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc.

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Sharon Jones

Partner/Chief DEI Officer

Haynes Boone LLP

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Cyerra McGowan

Associate

Latham & Watkins

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Desireé Prisby

Founder and Counsel

Desireé Esq. LLC

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Keerthika Subramanian

Partner

Winston & Strawn LLP

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Emily Winfield

VP, Deputy General Counsel

Forescout Technologies, Inc.

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Michelle Banks

Strategic Advisor

BarkerGilmore

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Jennifer Belmont Jennings

Trusts and Estates Attorney

MGD Law, LLC

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Jennifer Deal

Owner/CEO; Trademark of Counsel

Jenn Deal Coaching; Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

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Ramatu Kandakai

Personal Branding Consultant & Speaker

Tutu Brand Strategies LLC

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Vazantha Meyers

VP, Discovery Services

HaystackID

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Shahiedah Shabazz

Of Counsel

Quarles & Brady LLP

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Lauren Tetenbaum

Therapist, Advocate, Author

The CounseLaur

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Andrea Yang

Career Development Advisor-US

Mayer Brown

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Felicia Barnes

Counsel

bp

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Kristina Bilowus is an Assistant Director of Career Development at MSU College of Law. Previously, she worked in private practice as a family law and criminal defense attorney in the metro Detroit area. She also served as an adjunct professor at WMU Cooley Law School.

Kristina Bilowus

Assistant Director of Career Development

Michigan State University College of Law

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Julia Diniz Tavares

Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Manager

Littler

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Maja Larson

Adjunct Professor

Seattle University School of Law

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Kimberly Pack

Counsel

Thompson Hine

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Ashleigh Stochel

Senior Counsel

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

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Dana Williams

Senior Vice President, Assistant General Counsel

Northern Trust Corporation

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March 2025 Agenda

Friday, March 21

12:00-1:00PM: Registration & Lunch

1:00-1:15PM: Welcome

1:15-2:15PM: Resilient Leadership: Thriving Through Uncertainty with Courage and Purpose

2:30-3:30PM: Bold Moves: Negotiation & Risk-Taking for Career Advancement

3:45-4:45PM: Fireside Chat with General Counsel

5:00-7:00PM: Trailblazers & Changemakers: An Evening of Inspiration

Saturday, March 22

9:00-9:30AM: Check-in and Breakfast

9:40-10:40AM: Leading with Presence: Mindfulness for Professional Success

11:30AM-12:30PM: Make Your Case: Building a Personal Brand That Works for You

12:30-1:15PM: Lunch

1:30-2:30PM: Success on Your Terms: Navigating Law and Leadership as Women

2:30-3:00PM: From Page to Practice: Mentoring Circles with Women in Law Authors

3:15-4:15PM: The Power of Mentorship: Building Meaningful Professional Relationships

4:15-5:15PM: Fearless Communication: Mastering Difficult Conversations with Confidence and Clarity

5:30-7:00PM: Celebrating Women in Law: A Toast to the Future

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a current law student.
  • Be a member of the Ms. JD Online Community (Join here).
  • Be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
  • Selected participants will be responsible for all expenses related to travel and lodging.
  • Selected participants will be required to pay a $75 Program Tuition.
APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED

Why attend the Intensive?

DEVELOP YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

  • Attend impactful leadership workshops and inspiring panel discussions to learn new skills.
  • Accelerate your career in the legal profession and gain the leadership skills you need to make a difference.

CONNECT AND LEARN FROM OTHER WOMEN IN LAW

  • Interact with successful attorneys, thought leaders, and professional development experts.
  • Connect with other like-minded women in law school.

GAIN ACTIONABLE TOOLS TO STAND OUT AS A LEADER

  • Develop skills to inspire and empower others in the legal profession.
  • Generate a competitive edge in the legal profession by learning to lead effectively.

Location

You are part of the next generation of legal leaders...

We invite you to take this unique opportunity to develop the tools necessary to enhance your professional development, network with other law students from across the country, and become the leader YOU aspire to be.

Questions? We have answers!

What is the Ms. JD NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive?

The Ms. JD NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive is a two-day in-person program with interactive sessions focused on building leadership skills, inspirational keynote speakers, and networking opportunities with other attendees.

What is the cost of the Ms. JD NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive?

There is a $75 tuition fee for accepted attendees. In addition, attendees will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. We strongly recommend you reach out to your law school for financial support for this program. 

How do I apply?

Fill out this application form! Please reach out to Ms. JD's NWLSO Director, Brianca Hurley, at bhurley@ms-jd.org, with any questions or issues.

What do I need to apply to the Intensive?

In addition to basic biographical information, applicants will be asked to upload a copy of their resume and answer short questions on what leadership means to them.

How are attendees selected?

The NWLSO team will review all applications and select attendees based on demonstrated commitment to leadership in your law school and community. Priority will be given to those who have attended a prior Ms. JD NWLSO Leadership Academy, but that is not a requirement to apply.  

When will I find out if I am accepted to attend the Ms. JD NWLSO Leadership Academy Intensive?

Accepted attendees will be notified at least one month in advance of the event. Please reach out to Ms. JD's Program Director, Brianca Hurley, at bhurley@ms-jd.org, with any questions or issues.